US TOP COURT SAYS MUSLIMS CAN SUE FBI AGENTS FOR DAMAGES
The US Supreme Court ruled in favour of three Muslim men who said they were placed or kept on the government’s no-fly list in retaliation for refusing to serve as terrorism informants for the FBI. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act “permits litigants, when appropriate, to obtain money damages.” The court wrote in a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Clarence Thomas that Muhammad Tanvir, Jameel Algibhah and Naveed Shinwari may sue individual FBI agents for money damages under a federal law protecting religious exercise. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the newest member of the court, did not participate in the case.
CINEMATIC FILM OF AUSTRALIA’S ‘WILD WEST’ AND ITS CAMELEERS
Cinematic film of Australia’s ‘Wild West’ and its preserves, the legacy of the cameleers, is a fictional tale about the heavy price of greed and the search for identity in Australia’s wild west. The film illuminates the forgotten history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, who traversed Australia’s sweeping desert interior. Many of whom were able to form unique bonds with the traditional owners of this land. Set in the circa 1897 gold rush period of Western Australia, the film tells an imagined tale of a young Afghan cameleer, Hanif, from Afghanistan. It highlights the fact that Muslims and other minorities have been in Australia for over 150 years and have made significant contributions that brought major economic and social benefits to this country.
SRI LANKA CONTINUES WITH BURNING OF MUSLIM BODIES
One of the most globally criticised responses to the pandemic has been the systemic failure of the Sri Lankan government to respect the rights of minority groups during these devastating times. The implementation of a rigid cremation-only policy with regards to COVID-19 fatalities was introduced in March this year in disregard to guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which allows for both burial and cremation. Cremations are forbidden in Islam and generally not preferred in either Judaism or Christianity. It was to a response of shock and horror when it was revealed that the body a 20 days old baby boy suspected to have Covid 19 was cremated without the consent of its Muslim parents. All communities Muslims, Buddhists and Christians are voicing their concerns in parliamentary proceedings about the injustice done to the Muslims and the Christians.
EYESIGHT RESTORATION FOR THE POOR IN AFGHANISTAN
In the villages of Afghanistan, thousands of people are suffering of blindness due to an eye condition called “Cataract”. HADIA Foundation, an Australian registered charity with Tax Deductible (DGR) status, has started a new project to prevent this avoidable blindness and empower the people to have a dignified life. It costs $A110 to do a Cataract surgery including pre- and post-medical procedures in Afghanistan. Recently, nearly 30 people including men and women across different parts of Afghanistan went through the surgery made possible with the financial contribution of the Global Aid Foundation.
TURKEY GROUP SEEKS PROBE INTO UYGHUR ACTIVIST’S DEATH
Turkey’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) on December 18 said that it has approached the UN Human Rights Council over the death of Uyghur human rights defender in China and has sought the safety of his wife and children. Tursun Kaliolla, an Uyghur living in China was taken into custody after he had written a petition to the government of China regarding unlawful arrests in the Eastern Turkistan region. The IHH, in its application, alleged that the activist was murdered at a security camp. It has demanded a probe into the death, the delivery of Kaliolla’s body, a proper autopsy, and protection for the family of the deceased activist. In a statement issued on December 16, the IHH said the violations of human rights continue in every aspect of life in Eastern Turkistan, also known as Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which was occupied by the Chinese Communist Party in 1949.
SYDNEY’S MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS, JEWS JOIN ‘GIVING TOGETHER DAY’
Not-for-profit educational organisation, Together For Humanity (TFH) hosted a dinner to launch its inaugural ‘Giving Together Day’ fundraising appeal. Over 100 people gathered at Parra Villa Function Centre in Parramatta to learn more about the work the organisation does with schools to tackle prejudice and create a more inclusive society. The organisation has been offering diversity education programmes and helping school communities learn how to deal with differences for nearly two decades. It serves children attending state, independent (Muslim, Jewish and other) and Catholic schools, to meet and learn about people from different backgrounds and faiths; as well as teenagers from communities who are subjected to prejudice. The organisation also works with teachers of these students to support their learning and create more connected, inclusive classrooms.
TALIBAN MEET TOP PAKISTANI DIPLOMAT ON PEACE PROCESS
A delegation of the Afghan Taliban met with Pakistan’s top diplomat to discuss the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan. The delegation, led by the group’s deputy chief, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, arrived on a three-day visit to Islamabad. This is the second Taliban delegation to visit Pakistan in the last four months. A 7-member delegation had earlier visited in August.
AUTONOMOUS BANGSAMORO GOVT TAKES OVER COTABATO CITY
Almost two years after a referendum was held in the southern Philippines, the administration of Cotabato city was formally taken over by the autonomous Bangsamoro government. Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim, chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said his government is “pleased and honoured to accept the responsibilities of supervising Cotabato City and 63 barangays from North Cotabato as part of BARMM.” A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and corresponds to a village, district, or ward. With its inclusion, Cotabato will be the region’s third city. Lamitan City in Basilan and Lanao del Sur’s capital Marawi City are two other cities in the autonomous region with a population of nearly five million, according to unofficial figures.
MAN JAILED FOR CENTRAL LONDON MOSQUE STABBING
“Daniel Horton, 30, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 11 years and three months imprisonment,” a statement from Metropolitan Police said. Horton had stabbed muezzin Raafat Maglad in the neck during a prayer in London Central Mosque, near Regents Park and he “pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place.” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had described the event as “awful.” “It’s so awful that this should happen, especially in a place of worship. My thoughts are with the victim and all those affected,” he had written on Twitter.
TURKISH FIRM CONVERTS MANNED HELICOPTER INTO UAV
A Turkish technology firm has converted a helicopter into an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with high payload and long flight time and range to meet military and civilian needs. The core technology and solution of the project is to reduce the need for hands-on human involvement, Selman Donmez, a top executive of Titra Technology, was reported as saying. The conversion was done in cooperation with a Belarusian engineering firm, he added. The unmanned helicopter is capable of carrying up to 160 kilograms (353 pounds) with a range of up to 800-850 kilometres (497-528 miles) and altitude of more than 4,572 meters (15,000 feet), he said. Donmez said the company is looking to gradually boost the localisation rate of its production. “We aim to start mass production by the end of 2021,” he stressed.